Welcome to LeadVibes. Take a journey with us at Vero Beach Elementary as we create a school of innovation! We will embrace our #failforward moments as we change our climate and eventually build a culture of accountability through our VBE VIBES.
We have committed to:
Visualize Success,
Inspire Learning,
Believe in our Tribe, &
Exceed Expectations.
We recognize that: Your VIBE attracts your TRIBE.
I’m here to share our story.

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Student-centered decisions

This week, like many, has been filled with opportunities for reflection and growth as a tribe.

The big picture is sometimes hard to see in the day to day tasks that can sometimes seem overwhelming. However, there was a moment yesterday that had me overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude towards our tribe.

To really understand the impact I must first tell you the story of a student.

The story is about a fourth grader that transferred into Vero Beach Elementary last year.

He was vocal about how much he hated school. He was commited to disrupting learning in any and all ways possible. Let's just say, I was a frequent visitor to his classroom. He would throw items, curse, defy authority, and make open threats.

Despite this, I knew we could reach him.

There was a breakdown in my office last year. He started talking to me about the show, "Full House."
Boom. Connection. You see sometimes it's that easy. We immediately started talking about it and how much we both loved the show. The morals and values that were engrained in it. The complex characters that overcame tragedy and how a family came together to support each other.

The conversation ended with him telling me that I remind him of DJ Tanner and that in the new version, she's a mom.

This kid melted my heart in that moment.

Fast forward to this year. Structures have been put in place and this student is thriving. Not only is he academically improving, but he has built friendships and has developed strong leadership skills. He became a member of our first media production team and always has a smile on his face.

This doesn't happen by accident.

Thank you to all the VBE tribe that make student-centered decisions and encourage, connect, and push our Little Indians.

Yesterday his teacher tweeted out a writing sample. It was absolutely impressive to see the student's growth. However, I cried (more like sobbed like a baby) when I found out the work was his.

It's not the test score that will matter in his life. It's the teacher that takes time to celebrate his growth and share it with the world that will make the change.

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About Me

My name is Cindy Emerson, known by many students over the years as Emersizzle. I'm the Principal and Lead Learner at a Pre-K through 5th grade elementary school in Vero Beach, Florida. I'm driven and passionate about building leaders, embracing the community, exploring inequities in education, and finding the genius in every single child.

I'm the lucky mom to two awesome boys; Austin Emerson, a ten year old with a kind heart who thinks he's going to be the next actor on the Disney Channel; and Aiden Emerson, a four year old with a healthy appetite for life, and food.

I do, finally, have a little girl. Her name is Sky McFluffin Doodle. She's a Golden Retriever and Poodle mix. We love her and her spunky energy.

I'm married to my best friend, Sean Emerson. He's a local Lieutenant in the Palm Bay Fire Department. We actually met in Kindergarten, it's a long and icky story of two people who were destined to be together. He makes me a better person every single day. Shhh.. don't tell him.